Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos has slammed critics blaming the defender for a pair of incidents during his team’s Champions League final victory over Liverpool, saying accusations have “been blown out of all proportion.”
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah was forced off with a dislocated shoulder after the Egypt international and Ramos became entangled during the first half. Later, the four-time Champions League winner collided with Reds shot-stopper Loris Karius when he was pushed from behind by Virgil van Dijk. Salah is set to miss Egypt’s World Cup opener against Uruguay, and Karius has since been diagnosed with a concussion.
Ramos says the criticism against him has been unfairly amplified.
“Bloody hell, it’s all been blown out of all proportion,” Ramos told AS, courtesy of ESPN FC. “I didn’t want to talk but everything gets magnified.”
Related – Watch: Salah suffers shoulder injury after Sergio Ramos’ challenge
“(Salah) pulls my arm first, and I fall on the other side. Then when his other arm is injured, they say that I’ve done a judo move on him. Then the goalkeeper says he is concussed after a clash with me,” he added.
Karius was responsible for two howlers that gifted Real its first and third goals in the 3-1 defeat. In addition to directing blame at Ramos for the German’s gaffes, some Liverpool fans drafted a petition imploring FIFA and UEFA to punish the defender retroactively for his role in Salah’s injury.
Ramos has allegedly received threats stemming from the incidents, though the World Cup winner takes it in stride, deriding the disproportionate amount of criticism with a sarcastic barb.
“Now it only needs Firmino to say he got the flu as a drop of my sweat fell on him.”
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Dwight Clark, the receiver who made one of the most memorable plays in NFL history and jump-started the San Francisco 49ers dynasty, died Monday at his home in Montana.
Clark, who had been battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) since he first began feeling weakness in his left hand in September of 2015, was 61 years old.
Clark’s wife, Kelly, shared the news of her husband’s death via his Twitter account.
I’m heartbroken to tell you that today I lost my best friend and husband. He passed peacefully surrounded by many of the people he loved most. I am thankful for all of Dwight’s friends, teammates and 49ers fans who have sent their love during his battle with ALS. Kelly Clark.
— Dwight Clark (@DwightC87) June 4, 2018
“The San Francisco 49ers family has suffered a tremendous loss today with the passing of Dwight Clark,” the team said in a statement. “We extend our condolences and prayers to Dwight’s wife, Kelly, his family, friends and fans, as we join together to mourn the death of one of the most beloved figures in 49ers history. For almost four decades, he served as a charismatic ambassador for our team and the Bay Area. Dwight’s personality and his sense of humor endeared him to everyone he came into contact with, even during his most trying times. The strength, perseverance and grace with which he battled ALS will long serve as an inspiration to so many. Dwight will always carry a special place in our hearts and his legacy will live on as we continue to battle this terrible disease.”
Clark first disclosed his diagnosis in March 2017 on former 49ers owner Ed DeBartolo Jr.’s website, but said in that statement that he began feeling weak in 2015. After what he called months of tests and treatment, Clark was diagnosed with ALS, which is also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
In the time since his diagnosis, Clark said he had lost strength in both hands, his midsection, lower back and his right leg while also losing significant weight. DeBartolo helped Clark and his family relocate in March to be near him in Whitefish, Montana. In April, DeBartolo hosted a group of about 30 friends and former 49ers to visit Clark at his Montana ranch.
“It was beautiful because we got to see him smile,” said former teammate Roger Craig, who said he almost fainted when he heard the news of Clark’s death.
“That’s all I wanted, to see him smiling. We cried, we all got a taste of Dwight, all we wanted to do is see him smile the whole time we all were there and he smiled the whole time. He made us feel good and I know he felt good knowing he had all those teammates there to support him.”
Garrison Hearst, who was among the former teammates who visited Clark in Montana, tweeted that “We lost a great one.”
?????? Rest In Peace!!! We lost a great one!!! Love you brother!!! pic.twitter.com/FT6lE4qAGD
— Garrison Hearst (@garrisonhearst5) June 4, 2018
In a statement, DeBartolo said that he “lost my little brother and one of my best friends.”
“I cannot put into words how special Dwight was to me and to everyone his life touched,” DeBartolo said. “He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather, brother and a great friend and teammate. He showed tremendous courage and dignity in his battle with ALS and we hope there will soon be a cure for this horrendous disease.
“I will always remember Dwight the way he was — larger than life, handsome, charismatic and the only one who could pull off wearing a fur coat at our Super Bowl parade. He was responsible for one of the most iconic plays in NFL history that began our run of Super Bowl championships, but to me, he will always be an extension of my family. I love him and will miss him terribly. Our hearts and prayers are with his wife Kelly, his children and the entire Clark family.”
The 49ers held “Dwight Clark Day” last season at an Oct. 22 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
In what would be his final appearance in front of such a large group of 49ers fans, Clark addressed the crowd, ownership, his family and more than 40 teammates from a Levi’s Stadium suite. That day, he said he simply wanted one more chance to be around the team he loved.
“When Keena Turner [San Francisco’s vice president of football affairs] asked me what I wanted to do, whether raise money or have some kind of function, I said I just want to see my teammates,” Clark said that day. “And the 49ers heard that and flew all these players in so I could see them one more time.”
In honor of Clark, the 49ers gave away T-shirts with images of “The Catch,” the leaping grab Clark made in the back of the end zone to beat the Cowboys in the 1981 NFC Championship Game, imprinted over his No. 87. Famous sportscaster Vin Scully narrated a video tribute to Clark that was played on the scoreboard, and Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana introduced Clark.
“Dwight was a vibrant charismatic soul!! Jennifer and I are heartbroken over his passing,” Montana wrote in a Twitter post Monday night. “While we knew it was inevitably coming, it came way [too] soon! We are grateful for the decades of love and friendship we shared.”
Dwight Clark was on the receiving end of one of the most iconic plays in NFL history — one that spurred the 49ers to their first Super Bowl victory and jump-started a dynasty that would see San Francisco win four world championships in the 1980s. Rob Lindquist/Getty Images
“The Catch” spurred the Niners to their first Super Bowl victory and was the unofficial beginning of a dynasty that would see San Francisco win four world championships in the 1980s as well as make eight playoff appearances in 10 seasons.
Known as “Sprint Right Option,” the play became one of the most iconic in league and franchise history. On the play, Montana took the snap and rolled to his right before floating a pass in Clark’s direction. Clark timed his leap and his reach just right and hauled in the pass by his fingertips before landing safely in the right corner of the north end zone. The Niners went on to a 28-27 victory and would go on to win Super Bowl XVI against the Cincinnati Bengals.
When the 49ers closed down Candlestick Park in 2013, “The Catch” was named the No. 1 play in the stadium’s history.
“I just loved the guy, man, and idolized him,” former teammate and Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice told 95.7 The Game. “I would just sit back and just watch him, and I just wanted to try to emulate him, on the football field, off the football field. … This guy — he was one of the greatest football players to ever play the game, but also he was a great individual.”
A native of Kinston, North Carolina, Clark played collegiately at Clemson before he became a 10th-round pick of the 49ers in the 1979 NFL draft. As the story goes, legendary 49ers coach Bill Walsh discovered Clark when he was at Clemson to scout quarterback Steve Fuller. As Clark was heading out to play golf, he got a call from Walsh asking him to handle receiving duties for Fuller in the workout. Walsh came away so impressed with Clark, who had just 33 catches and three touchdowns in 34 college games, he decided to draft him.
Clark spent his entire nine-year career with San Francisco, earning two Pro Bowl berths and a pair of Super Bowl titles. He still ranks third on San Francisco’s receiving yards list (6,750), fourth in receptions (506) and seventh in touchdown receptions (48).
When his career ended in 1987, Clark moved into the team’s front office, where he earned three more Super Bowl rings as an executive. He joined the Cleveland Browns in an executive role in 1999.
“All of us in the NFL are saddened by the passing of Dwight Clark,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Dwight made many memorable contributions on the field as a two-time Super Bowl champion and later as a member of the front office of the 49ers and Browns. He will forever live on in our memories for The Catch but also for his kind, gentle and courageous spirit.”
Clark is survived by his wife and three children from a previous marriage, daughter Casey and sons Riley and Mac.
Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius was concussed during May’s Champions League final, doctors from Massachusetts General Hospital confirmed Monday, providing a possible reason for the German’s calamitous performance in Kyiv.
Dr. Ross Zafonte and Dr. Lenore Herget examined Karius in Boston on May 31, and determined that the 24-year-old had suffered a head injury.
The specifics of the injury weren’t confirmed, but it’s widely believed Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos caused the concussion with a stray elbow in the penalty area.
¡SERGIO RAMOS NO LE ESQUIVA A LAS POLÉMICAS!#ChampionsxFOX | Tras la jugada donde terminó lesionado Mohamed Salah, el capitán del Real Madrid chocó con Loris Karius y lo golpeó en el rostro, casualmente dos minutos antes del primer gol. pic.twitter.com/GcLYpOxdl7
— FOX Sports Colombia (@FOXSportsCo) May 27, 2018
“At the time of our evaluation, Mr. Karius’s principal residual symptoms and objective signs suggested that visual-spatial dysfunction existed and likely occurred immediately following the event,” the statement read. “Additional symptomatic and objectively noted areas of dysfunction also persisted. It could be possible that such deficits would affect performance.”
Karius is making “significant” progress on the road to recovery, the doctors added.
He gifted Madrid the opener to Karim Benzema mere minutes after taking the blow to the head, and mishandled Gareth Bale’s shot from distance later in the 3-1 defeat.
Related – Watch: Karius’ clanger gifts Benzema opener in Champions League final
Ramos drew heavy criticism in the aftermath of the final for a separate coming-together with Mohamed Salah that left the Egyptian international with a dislocated shoulder. One petition calling for UEFA and FIFA to “take measures” against Ramos has amassed more than 500,000 signatures online.
Karius was extremely apologetic in the minutes, hours, and days after the final, saying on Instagram he was “infinitely sorry to my teammates, for you fans, and for all the staff.”
Thirteen quarterbacks came off the board in the 2018 NFL draft, including five in the first round alone. How have they looked so far?
NFL Nation reporters offer early progress reports on their performances at rookie minicamps and organized team activities.
Round 1, No. 1 overall
The draft’s first overall pick is starting over. Mayfield spent a fair amount of time in rookie camp practicing taking the snap from center. In the first OTA practice open to the media, Mayfield threw three interceptions. In the second, his reps seemed to be reduced by a few. None of this means he can’t play; it shows that he’s learning the fundamentals and basics of playing in the NFL. — Pat McManamon
A wild offseason should lead to an eventful season. Here are the biggest names and storylines to watch as the number of days remaining until kickoff enters double digits.
Can Carson Wentz regain his pre-injury MVP form? Can Dak Prescott prove he’s the Cowboys’ franchise quarterback? Here’s what will define the 2018 season for every team.
2 Related
Round 1, No. 3 overall
The key word: progress. After a rough start in OTAs, Darnold settled down in the second week, perhaps not coincidentally when he started getting reps with the first-team line. His arm talent is obvious. For Darnold, the biggest challenge is knowing where to throw the ball and getting it out on time. He’s getting more reps on a daily basis than vets Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater, and that should benefit him come training camp. He’ll get a shot to be the Week 1 starter, but it would take a spectacular preseason to nail down the job. — Rich Cimini
Round 1, No. 7 overall
Allen has practiced exclusively with the third team through the first two weeks of OTAs, behind AJ McCarron and Nathan Peterman on the depth chart. It has been a mixed bag so far for Allen, who was inaccurate on his first pass and later telegraphed an interception to cornerback Breon Borders during the two-minute drill in Thursday’s practice. Coaches gave Allen another shot at the drill, and he marched downfield and lofted an accurate fade pattern to wide receiver Cam Phillips for a touchdown. Allen’s off-the-charts arm strength has been evident in the velocity of the passes he has thrown; the accuracy seems to be a work in progress. — Mike Rodak
Round 1, No. 10 overall
So far, the scouting report on Rosen has been dead-on. He was hyped as the most NFL-ready quarterback in this year’s draft because of the combination of his intelligence and skill. From what he has shown during the limited practices open to the media, he’s both smart and talented. His arm has been live, especially on deep passes. It’s clear he can think through a play rather quickly and efficiently. From what his offensive linemen have said about him so far, he’s been displaying a maturity and confidence in the huddle that has been well received. — Josh Weinfuss
Round 1, No. 32 overall
Jackson remains a work in progress. He’s accurate in the middle of the field and shows good touch on deep passes. But he’s inconsistent when throwing outside the numbers. His passes tend to sail when targeting receivers along the sideline. What jumps out is Jackson’s speed. When he gets into the open field, he makes jaw-dropping cuts to elude defenders. The Ravens will get Jackson on the field immediately because of his explosiveness, but he isn’t close to competing with Joe Flacco for the starting quarterback job. — Jamison Hensley
Mason Rudolph joins Landry Jones and Joshua Dobbs on the depth chart behind Ben Roethlisberger. Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Round 2, No. 76 overall
Rudolph has shown off his arm strength, has a good touch on the deep ball and seems to be adjusting well to the offensive scheme. In OTAs, Rudolph hasn’t made any major mistakes but has played it relatively safe and overthrew a few receivers. The under-center exchanges were a problem early in rookie camp. Overall, Rudolph is about what the Steelers expected: an intriguing, down-the-road option. — Jeremy Fowler
White is currently No. 3 on the depth chart behind Dak Prescott and Cooper Rush, but he has shown a live arm and has made good decisions. What has impressed Jason Garrett the most is the early command of the offense and the huddle. White is playing mostly with other rookies or inexperienced players, but he has picked things up quickly to where he can get people in the right spots. How he plays in the preseason games will determine whether the Cowboys carry three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, but so far, he has impressed coaches. — Todd Archer
Round 6. No. 199 overall
Falk has blended in well behind Marcus Mariota and Blaine Gabbert during his early opportunities. He has showed off accurate ball placement, particularly in short-yardage situations. Some development is needed, particularly with getting him comfortable taking snaps under center and moving in more of a pro-style offense, but early reviews are that Falk is coming along as expected for a sixth-round pick. He’s expected to spend 2018 as a developmental QB3 before eventually becoming Mariota’s long-term backup. He’s hopeful to expedite that timeline. — Cameron Wolfe
Round 6, No. 203 overall
As expected, Lee has been up and down, which pretty much summed up his career at Nebraska. He has had some issues taking the snap under center and air-mailed several easy passes, including a swing pass to a running back that should be an easy completion for an NFL quarterback. He also has been picked off twice. He seems destined for the practice squad. — Mike DiRocco
Round 7, No. 219 overall
Wearing the unusual No. 58 — as Bill Belichick hasn’t given rookies permanent jersey numbers — Etling accounted well for himself in the first practice open to reporters and then in a post-practice interview. He showed solid arm strength, which is something offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels noted as a strong trait, and seemed to get the players in and out of the huddle without issue. There’s obviously a long way to go at this point, but Etling seemed to take advantage of the expanded repetitions he wouldn’t have received if Tom Brady were present, as he worked behind veteran Brian Hoyer. Said Hoyer: “I can speak from my own experience, this isn’t an easy system to come into as a rookie. You get a lot thrown at you, and I think Danny is doing a good job.” — Mike Reiss
Round 7, No. 220 overall
The seventh-round pick from Florida International was the standout of the team’s rookie minicamp. Pete Carroll remarked afterward how McGough showed nice arm strength and accuracy in addition to the mobility the Seahawks had already seen plenty of on his college tape. The usual qualifiers apply. It was only a three-day minicamp with no veterans and no shoulder pads (those have been the only practices open to the media so far). McGough still has a lot to prove to unseat Austin Davis as Russell Wilson’s backup, but he’s off to a nice start. — Brady Henderson
Round 7, No. 249 overall
Woodside is firmly entrenched as the No. 3 quarterback for the moment, and that was clear during the second week of OTAs. During the practice open to the media, Woodside did not throw a pass, as all the reps went to Andy Dalton and No. 2 quarterback Matt Barkley. Woodside did get a scout-team rep at safety. — Katherine Terrell
